Well sealing apparatus and method

Abstract

A well sealing apparatus, and method of use, which seals between tubular goods and a well casing without the use of a sealing tool run separately. The apparatus has a resilient skirt which is sealed against the well casing by split rings which are released from containment by the assembly as the assembly is released from the drill pipe.

I claim: 
     
       1. A sealing apparatus adapted to be run into a well, comprising: an elongate running-in tool having a cylindrical packer and a cylindrical adaptor releasably engaging said packer;   an annular resilient sealing element mounted on said running-in tool and disposed externally thereof for engagement with the well; and   a split ring expander means positioned on said running-in tool internally of said sealing element and adapted to expand radially outwardly from a retracted position on said running-in tool to an expanded position for urging said sealing element into sealing engagement with the well.   
     
     
       2. The sealing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cylindrical adaptor comprises an upwardly facing shoulder formed on the exterior surface of said adaptor upon which said first split ring rests so that, as said adaptor is disengaged form said packer, said first split ring is pulled upwardly to be released from said packer, thereby allowing said first split ring to expand outwardly against said sealing element. 
     
     
       3. The sealing apparatus of claim 4, wherein said cylindrical adaptor further comprises right hand threads for attachment to a drill pipe, and left hand threads for attachment to said packer so that said adaptor remains attached to the drill pipe when the drill pipe is turned in a clockwise direction, and said packer is disengaged from said adaptor. 
     
     
       4. The sealing apparatus of claim 3, further comprising right hand threads on said packer for attachment to a well screen. 
     
     
       5. The sealing apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a second outwardly biased split ring positioned between said first split ring and said shoulder on said adaptor, which can be released from said packer to expand outwardly against said resilient sealing element above said first split ring. 
     
     
       6. The sealing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said resilient sealing element is a resilient elastomeric skirt which is attached to said running-in tool near a lower end of said skirt and which is free to expand at an upper end of said skirt. 
     
     
       7. The sealing apparatus of claim 6, wherein said resilient skirt is attached to said running-in tool by means of a clamp. 
     
     
       8. The sealing apparatus of claim 6, wherein said resilient skirt is attached to said running-in tool by being molded thererto. 
     
     
       9. The sealing apparatus of claim 6, wherein said resilient skirt includes a bead near its upper end, below which said split ring expander means can contact said skirt for increased holding capability. 
     
     
       10. A method of sealing a well, comprising the steps of: threading an adaptor onto a drill pipe by means of right hand threads;   releasably engaging a cylindrical packer, having an upwardly extending resilient sealing element, onto said adaptor;   positioning a first outwardly biased expander means in a retracted position on said adaptor, said expander means being retained inwardly;   lowering said packer into a well casing to a desired depth;   disengaging said packer from said adaptor; and   releasing said expander means by means of said adaptor, thereby allowing said expander means to expand outwardly against said resilient sealing element, pressing said resilient sealing element against said casing.   
     
     
       11. The method of sealing a well of claim 10, further comprising the steps of: positioning a second outwardly biased expander means in a retracted position on said adaptor, said second expander means being retained inwardly;   releasing said second expander means, by means of said adaptor, above said first expander means, thereby allowing said second expander means to expand outwardly above said first expander means against said resilient sealing element, pressing said resilient sealing element against said casing.   
     
     
       12. A method of sealing a well, comprising the steps of: threading an adaptor onto a tubular member;   releasably engaging a cylindrical packer having a resilient sealing element with the adaptor;   positioning at least one expander means in a compressed position between the adaptor and the packer;   lowering the packer into the well;   disengaging the packer from the adaptor; and   releasing the expander means during the step of disengaging the packer from the adaptor to operably allow the expander means to urge the resilient sealing element against the well.